Engine is hard starting?

CANDACECARMACK

MEMBER
1999 FORD ESCORT
17,000 MILES

I have a 1999 ford escort zx2 that is having some electrical issues. 1st off the vehicle has troble starting up. It will crank and crank and crank, then finally it will turn over. It quivers/shutters while driving, and the headlights don't always work. It also idles very hard and sometimes dies completely when I turn on the air conditioning. I have replaced all things obvious (MAS, Plugs, Wires, Alternator, etc.) I can't find the root issue. Please help.

1 Reply

SQM

MECHANIC
6,383 POSTS

Hello,

There are few possibilities of why the vehicle is having those issues.
You could have a clogged idle air control valve. If the IAC is dirty or clogged you will have issue with startup and idling.
Another possibility is the crank position sensor. Which can make the car very difficult to start or have random misfires.

Is you service engine light on? If so what are the codes?

Here is an article on how to clean the IAC:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-idle-air-control-valve-works
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/idle-air-control-valve-service

Here are some info on the crank sensor:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-crank-shaft-angle-sensor-works
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-a-bad-crankshaft-sensor

https://youtu.be/_xoGyRrHYbM

I have also attached the IAC removal process as well as the crank sensor diagrams.

Please let me know of any questions.

Thank you.

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